Starting September 22, 2002 Czech
Republic eliminated leading "0" from dialling
intra-state long distance. All telephone numbers are now 9 digits long,
the first 2 digits determine geographical area. No special prefix is needed
to call anywhere within the country.
International Calls From Czech Republic: prefix for international
calling from Czech telephones is 00 followed by country code, etc.
Better rates in the evening are available during the off-peak hours
by calling 952 + 00 (so called Xcall service of Czech Telecom)
Calling telephone cards can be bought at larger post offices, airports, railway stations, metro
stations, big department stores, kiosks, hotels.
Call to the US could be less than 30 cents a minute
AT&T Operator: 00-420-00101
MCI Operator: 00-420-0011
Sprint Operator: 00-420-87187
Bell Canada Operator: 00-420-00151
There are 3 mobil operators - Eurotel (major owners Czech Telecom / Verizon / AT&T Wireless),
Radiomobil (T-Mobil) and
Cesky Mobil (TIW). There are many calling plans available, on a monthly
or pay-per-use basis. US cell phones do not work due to different standards.
Czechs are addicted to sending SMS messages (locally called "esemesky").
People send them very frequently for no particular reason, as a source
of fun and entertainment. To some degree SMS messages are replacing less
available Internet access and email messaging.
There are also commercial news and other services available using SMS technology.
